The escape trial of convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, and his co-accused has been set for the 10th of February 2025.
Bester appeared in the Free State High Court alongside his lover Dr Nandipha Magudumana, her father and six former G4S employees.
The long-awaited trial is in relation to Bester’s escape from the Mangaung Maximum Prison in May 2022.
Bester escaped in a staged fire incident at the facility, where the body of Katlego Bereng was used as a decoy.
He was re-arrested in Tanzania with Magudumana after the lovers made headlines when they were allegedly spotted shopping at a Woolworths store in Johannesburg.
Bester’s new lawyer, Advocate Lerato Moela, indicated in the previous appearance that they will be bringing an application on jurisdiction.
Free State Judge President, John Musi, told Bester’s lawyer that he would not entertain his application, saying it is not ripe for hearing.
Judge Musi says they have not filed a replying affidavit.
“Any arguments that you want to bring with regards to jurisdiction or anything else can only be entertained by me or any other judge I assign the matter to, when the matter is ripe for hearing,” says the Judge.
Advocate Moela, however, argued that Bester’s application needs to be heard before the matter goes to trial and his client needs to be present.
Judge Musi dismissed Moala’s argument as ‘the wrong game plan.’
Yesterday, in a scathing letter, Bester accused the Department of Correctional Services of violating his Constitutional rights.
He says the conditions he is currently subjected to at the Kgosi Mampuru Prison prevent him from defending himself and strip him of his dignity.
He claims that he is kept in solitary confinement for up to 23 hours a day.
Bester alleged that being kept in those small rooms will have an impact on his mental health and well-being.
However, it doesn’t seem like the Correctional Services Department is prepared to change any of the conditions.
In its response to Bester’s concerns, the department reminded the nation about the kind of convict it is dealing with.
“As DCS, it is clear that we are dealing with an inmate capable of engineering elaborate means to escape from lawful custody. Hence, we are duty-bound to employ strict security measures, within the confines of the law, in order to prevent any chance of him escaping once again,” reads its statement.
Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza
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